Isn’t one of Christian Estrosi’s favorite slogans: “I do what I say”? Well, mission accomplished!
After many attempts and controversies, recalled by him with some controversial jabs during the official presentation, the Mayor of Nice received a warmer reception for his proposals from Minister Blanquer than from his predecessor Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, a name so despised, uttered after a deep breath.
The latter had refused to follow him and did not authorize this application. It must be said that the original project envisioned the police being armed, which the current ministerial authorization does not permit.
However, for Christian Estrosi, what matters is the acceptance of his idea, the rest are just details.
Moreover, he himself said, demonstrating pragmatism: “I would have preferred an armed officer, but I prefer an unarmed officer rather than having no officer in the schools.”
In short, the 163 schools in Nice will be equipped with a police officer within the premises. Three*, as an experiment from next Monday, the others starting in September. Schools may opt out at their request.
This will occur after a joint review by the Municipality and the Academy Inspection, but why shouldn’t it work?
The ministerial green light — Nice will be the first city to implement this experiment —
was followed by seven “School Safety” working meetings between the municipal and academy teams that laid out the general principles.
To handle this new organization, 130 new officers have been recruited and trained so that their daily presence serves for prevention and, if necessary, intervention by integrating with other security measures (human and technical). Their presence will also be a psychological support to the parents of students who, according to the mayor of Nice, requested this measure.
Well, the page is turned, the controversies forgotten, a hostile government and supervising minister have been succeeded by another one, open and sensitive. Macron-compatibility has its advantages…
As for this initiative, what can be said? How to differentiate between security and securitization? the right method and overzealousness? the technical measure and propaganda?
In any case, an additional police officer is better than one less. If he does nothing more, he certainly does nothing less and above all, nothing harmful. And then, the uniform always has its effect!
Of course, there is always a “protagonist” aspect in everything Christian Estrosi undertakes, but since his vision of security is strongly influenced by the Israeli system, it results in the maximum pursuit of eliminating any “possible” risk.
And then, doesn’t he still say: “I will not back down,” to affirm his determination when he undertakes something? And so it goes.
